Some Brief FAQs about Rock Presbyterian Church

Rock Presbyterian is a Parish of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and a member of the Presbytery of the Mid-Atlantic. The EPC is a conservative split from the former, United Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1981. The motto of the EPC is "In essentials, unity, in non-essentials, liberty, in all things, charity." This is the essence of our denomination and we believe it; there are just some things not worth fighting about. However, the EPC does maintain its convictions as a church reformed in doctrine, Presbyterian in polity and evangelical in spirit-- we do believe whole heartily in missions and the giving of the Good News of Jesus Christ to all people, beginning with Post-Christian America and to all the world.

What is the worship schedule and what is the service like?	What are the church's education and fellowship opportunities for the family?
Our Sunday morning worship is traditional and is based upon the Presbyterian reforms of the Anglican prayerbook (1689) and is is printed in the bulletin. The services begin with the sounding of the bells at 11:00 AM and typically last no more than an hour. Occasionally, we have a Sunday evening Vespers service (see below) and Holy Communion once a month. Please dress as you feel comfortable. As an aid to our worship experience, we observe the Christian Calendar as a means of reflection on the Life of Christ and the life of discipleship. We also use the Revised Common Lectionary for the morning lessons. Rock Church uses the Presbyterian Hymnbook (1955) for our worship. See our worship page for more details.	Sunday School begins at 10:00. We have a Bible study the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 in the parish hall. Also, we offer Communicants class for ages 5-9 and Confirmation classes (ages 13+) for those desiring to profess their faith at a appropriate age. Please see our Ministry Page for greater details. We also like to eat! We have occasional breakfasts and we meet to celebrate a St. Valentine's Day dinner and St. Patrick's day (with traditional corned beef and cabbage!). Also, we celebrate Shrove Tuesday (Mardis Gras) before Ash Wednesday; equally, we have a Easter Vigil breakfast, Back to School Bash, Fall Fling, Reformation Sunday party, Thanksgiving and Christmas Lunches.
What does Rock Presbyterian Church believe??	What is Rock Presbyterian's practice regarding baptism?
We believe the Bible to be the only infallible and inerrant source of authority in all matters of faith, godliness, facts and truth. Our church confesses the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed and subscribes to the Westminster Confession of Faith (1903) and Catechisms as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Bible. We affirm the "Essentials" statement by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church as a summary statement of Confessional and Evangelical doctrine.	We practice adult baptisms upon profession of faith. Equally, we believe that the children of believing adults should be baptized. Rock church normally practices "sprinkling" but we will try to accommodate the needs of those being baptized. Please call or email the church office (864.229.4222) if you are interested in scheduling a baptism.
Are children allowed during the worship service?	How does one join Rock Presbyterian Church?
We welcome children to the worship service so that they may observe their parents and model their worship; there is a nursery available for those children in infancy to 4 years-old. Rock Church leaves the responsibility of children coming to the table to the heads of household (you may download our parents guide to "Children and the Lord’s Table")	Individuals and families may transfer by letter, or by profession/ re-affirmation of faith. Upon reception into Rock Church, if one has not been baptized, this normally takes place in the following worship service. You may download the church membership form here.
How often does the church celebrate the Eucharist (Communion) and who may participate?	What version of the Bible do you use for preaching and teaching?
We observe the Lord's Supper the first Sunday of the Month. All baptized Christians are welcome to the Lord's Table (commonly called "Close Communion").	We use the English Standard Version, as an essentially literal translation. It is a recent translation in the tradition of the Revised Standard Version and the King James Version.
What is the significance of the Minister's dress on the Lord's day?	What is "Vespers" and what is a "Vespers" service?
The Reformed movement, based upon John Calvin’s lead, preferred the simple dress of the academic gown to identify the Teaching Elder. Many in the Reformed tradition, wear the traditional Scottish "habit": the cassock (the parish "house-coat") underneath the academic gown, academic hood, tippet (black preaching scarf) and preaching bands (two white strips of cloth on the collar, symbolizing the Law and the Gospel). In addition, many Reformed ministers use the preaching stole (identifying ordination) instead of a tippet.	Vespers is part of the regular prayer cycle called the “Liturgy of the Hours”, or “Divine Office,” providing ordered prayer throughout the day. "The Hours" (also called the Breviary)provide the liturgy for praying morning (“Matins”), noon, early eve (“Vespers” or “Evensong”) and bedtime prayer (“Compline”). Calvin held daily morning and evening prayers in Geneva and John Knox continued the practice in Presbyterian Scotland. During special seasons of the year, we have occasional Vespers services, usually at 6:30 PM.

St. Ninian

St. Ninian

Martin Luther

Patrick Hamilton

John Calvin

John Calvin

John Knox

John Knox

What is a "Presbyterian" Church?

St. Ninian brought Christianity to Scotland in the 4^th century. During the Reformation, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536), John Calvin formulated reformed theology and the Presbyterian form of church government. Patrick Hamilton was martyred making Scotland Protestant in the 16^th century.

In 1560, John Knox, a student of Calvin, adapted Presbyterianism for the Kirk (Church) of Scotland. "Presbyterian" churches are governed by the Session, which is composed of presbuteroi (elders): a teaching elder (pastor) and ruling elders, elected by the congregation. The scriptural titles "pastor/ shepherd, teacher, bishop/ overseer, presbyter/ elder" simply denote different functions of the same office (See Acts 20). Equally, the church is served by elected deacons.

Presbyterian churches are part of regional presbyteries composed of teaching and ruling elders of local parishes in the presbytery. We confess the Westminster Confession of Faith (1647) and catechisms by Scottish Presbyterians, English Independents and Puritans as the system of doctrine given in the Bible. The WCF emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty over all things; Humanity's total depravity in sin; a person's unconditional election by God; Christ's substitutionary death for His people; God's irresistible grace in salvation and the final perseverance of God's elect people to the end of history.

What is a "Reformed" Church?

Beginning with Martin Luther October 31, 1517 in Germany, and later by John Calvin, the Reformation began as a reforming movement within the Roman Catholic church and emphasized:

sola scriptura: Holy Scripture alone is the infallible standard of truth in all things.

sola gratia: human salvation is only by God’s gracious choice, unearned by human actions, will or merit.

sola fide: the sole instrument of salvation is faith.

solus christus: Christ, fully God and fully man is the only sufficient mediator between God and man.

soli deo gloria: all things exist for the glory of God alone.

Protestant churches differed over church government, the nature of the Lord's Supper, and the nature, mode and administration of baptism. All churches historically descendent from the Roman Catholic Church initially affirmed the above five principles for what we consider "Protestantism." It must be remembered that the Reformers intent was not to split from the Mother Church, but to reform it from perceived un-Scriptural teachings. Hence, all historically Protestant churches consider themselves to be part of the "one, holy, catholic and apostolic church", as the Nicene Creed confesses. In essence, we consider ourselves to be "Reformed Catholics."